We are so blessed. We have a roof over our heads in a gated community in an area of town that is good for kids and close to pretty much everything. We have family and friends that live within an hour's drive. Every time there's a crazy rain storm outside, I just breathe a little sigh of thanks that I am indoors and dry, watching TV on my flat screen, or doing dishes with hot water. Our bills are paid on time, and I have gas in my car to take me wherever I want to take myself. But at the end of the month, its been getting just a BIT too close for comfort, and frankly, I'm not used to saying "I can't" when friends want to do something fun that involves money.
So, Barry and I are biting the bullet. We have set a target date of Jan 1, 2011 to move in to my parents house. Its actually been talked about for a few months now, but daily life gets in the way and we've probably been ignoring the need. I am so grateful that I have amazing parents that are not only willing, but seem genuinely excited about having 3 more mouths to feed. My dad said something about "multi-generational" living or something like that. Mom is excited that Barry will be helping her cook (our "Rent" is that Barry has too cook one meal a week.)
Its going to be challenging. For silly reasons like being used to walking around in our skivvies (or less) and having our own space to lounge and kiss and play. For not-so-silly reasons like differences of opinion when it comes to where we should be spending our time on Sunday mornings. But I need to remember that my parents are much more open than I ever give them credit for, and that they respect us as parents ourselves. We'll need to remember that its only temporary, and will help us tremendously in saving money towards a house of our own.
Once we are moved out, our home will be going on the market for Rent. We had a carpet guy come and measure today; as soon as we move the furniture they'll be in there replacing the carpet. Unfortunately, we won't be able to get close to what our mortgage is, but at least it'll help. I'm fairly confident that we won't have any trouble finding a renter.
UGH. Its hard to ask for help. But we're so lucky to have family that is ready and willing to lift you up.
Showing posts with label Growing Up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Growing Up. Show all posts
Monday, November 1, 2010
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Twilight to Billy
If you've been on Facebook, then you know that I've started to read Twilight. I'm borrowing it from Angelle and slowly started it on Saturday. Well, it's Wednesday and I'm already half way through it, and for me, that's fast. (I've been reading a Drizzt novel for the past 3 years and still haven't gotten through 3/4 of it. I couldn't even tell you the name of the book.) I'm reading it before work, during my lunch break, and when I get home. This morning, Barry had to talk me out of playing hookie because all I wanted to do was read about Edward effing Cullen. I haven't even gotten into the "good Jacob parts" yet, and I'm already cultivating a plan to borrow the next book.
How ridiculous is it that this 'tweener book is having such an impact on me? I took a full hour today for lunch, sitting in the covered patio of my favorite downtown lunch spot, flipping page after page, wishing I could take longer than my hour. (I normally don't take more than 20-30 minutes for lunch.)
Stephanie Meyer has an amazing way to take you back to feeling 17 again, and all of those rushing feelings of infatuation and not knowing has been making my heart flutter all over again.
You see, my Edward was Billy Yoakley. *Sigh* Billy made my heart flutter like no one else. He was the cutest boy in my youth group and I remember feeling like a yo-yo every time he would talk to me (or wouldn't). My sister said my heart would beat "Bil-ly, Bil-ly" instead of the normal pit-pat. So, because I have nothing else I'd prefer to be doing at work right now, I'm going to tell you a story...
The Facebook of 1997 was AOL. After every shift at work, I'd stay up to the wee hours chatting online. This Friday night was no different. I got off of work about 11:00, and without changing out of my Publix uniform, I was on AOL minutes after I got home. This particular night, Billy Yoakley was hanging out with his friend Matt online. We started chatting and he asked if I wanted to hang out. Mind you, I'm only 17 and it's 11:30 at night. I think my curfew was 12:30, and there was no way my parents would let me LEAVE the house this late. Luckily, my parents were out of town that weekend. Only my sister was home, and she was fast asleep already. I mean, BILLY YOAKLEY asked ME if i wanted to hang out. So i called my friend Erin and she was in, so I quickly changed into the sexiest outfit i had, grabbed the keys to my mom's minivan, and left a note for my sister ("Took the van, Don't worry, I'll be home later.") I picked up Erin, made a quick stop for some cigarettes (Erin was a year older) and we were off to Fleming Island to meet up with the boys.
We picked them up (they were waiting outside) and followed their directions to a dock on Doctor's Lake. We sat under the stars, chatted and flirted until "it" happened. BILLY YOAKLEY KISSED ME! It was the most glorious kiss! I had been waiting for over 2 years for him to like me and he finally kissed me! It was amazing.
After who knows how long, Erin and I were on our way home. I was elated. I kept screaming and hitting the wheel; i was overjoyed! HE KISSED ME! As we turned into my neighborhood, though, those feelings of happiness quickly turned to dread.
My sister's bedroom light was on.
I was freaking out. I slowly walked in the house, Erin behind me. Christy was sitting on the edge of her bed with the note. She threatened that she had already called Erin's mom (she really didn't) but told her to get her stuff together, that she was taking her home. When she got back, the only thing I remember her saying to me was "If you don't tell Mom and Dad, I will." I was nauseated. Literally. I'd never done anything like this before. I hadn't even skipped school before. I ran to the bathroom and threw up. It was only Friday and my parents weren't due back until Sunday. The whole weekend I was nauseous. I was supposed to be leaving for Europe in 2 weeks. What if they don't let me go? Sunday came, and I was somehow able to get it out to my parents that I stole their car in the middle of the night to meet up with a boy that they knew I'd been infatuated with for 2 years. Luckily, I was still able to go to Europe (the money had already been spent), but I was unfortunately, grounded from Erin, Matt, and Billy for an excruciating month, and my curfew my entire senior year was pushed back to 11:00pm.
Apparently, the only reason I got caught was because of the note. Christy had gotten up to get a drink of water and saw it on the door. Without it, she wouldn't have even noticed the car missing from the garage. Damn me for being 'responsible'.
...and that is the Story of Billy, my Edward.
How ridiculous is it that this 'tweener book is having such an impact on me? I took a full hour today for lunch, sitting in the covered patio of my favorite downtown lunch spot, flipping page after page, wishing I could take longer than my hour. (I normally don't take more than 20-30 minutes for lunch.)
Stephanie Meyer has an amazing way to take you back to feeling 17 again, and all of those rushing feelings of infatuation and not knowing has been making my heart flutter all over again.
You see, my Edward was Billy Yoakley. *Sigh* Billy made my heart flutter like no one else. He was the cutest boy in my youth group and I remember feeling like a yo-yo every time he would talk to me (or wouldn't). My sister said my heart would beat "Bil-ly, Bil-ly" instead of the normal pit-pat. So, because I have nothing else I'd prefer to be doing at work right now, I'm going to tell you a story...
The Facebook of 1997 was AOL. After every shift at work, I'd stay up to the wee hours chatting online. This Friday night was no different. I got off of work about 11:00, and without changing out of my Publix uniform, I was on AOL minutes after I got home. This particular night, Billy Yoakley was hanging out with his friend Matt online. We started chatting and he asked if I wanted to hang out. Mind you, I'm only 17 and it's 11:30 at night. I think my curfew was 12:30, and there was no way my parents would let me LEAVE the house this late. Luckily, my parents were out of town that weekend. Only my sister was home, and she was fast asleep already. I mean, BILLY YOAKLEY asked ME if i wanted to hang out. So i called my friend Erin and she was in, so I quickly changed into the sexiest outfit i had, grabbed the keys to my mom's minivan, and left a note for my sister ("Took the van, Don't worry, I'll be home later.") I picked up Erin, made a quick stop for some cigarettes (Erin was a year older) and we were off to Fleming Island to meet up with the boys.
We picked them up (they were waiting outside) and followed their directions to a dock on Doctor's Lake. We sat under the stars, chatted and flirted until "it" happened. BILLY YOAKLEY KISSED ME! It was the most glorious kiss! I had been waiting for over 2 years for him to like me and he finally kissed me! It was amazing.
After who knows how long, Erin and I were on our way home. I was elated. I kept screaming and hitting the wheel; i was overjoyed! HE KISSED ME! As we turned into my neighborhood, though, those feelings of happiness quickly turned to dread.
My sister's bedroom light was on.
I was freaking out. I slowly walked in the house, Erin behind me. Christy was sitting on the edge of her bed with the note. She threatened that she had already called Erin's mom (she really didn't) but told her to get her stuff together, that she was taking her home. When she got back, the only thing I remember her saying to me was "If you don't tell Mom and Dad, I will." I was nauseated. Literally. I'd never done anything like this before. I hadn't even skipped school before. I ran to the bathroom and threw up. It was only Friday and my parents weren't due back until Sunday. The whole weekend I was nauseous. I was supposed to be leaving for Europe in 2 weeks. What if they don't let me go? Sunday came, and I was somehow able to get it out to my parents that I stole their car in the middle of the night to meet up with a boy that they knew I'd been infatuated with for 2 years. Luckily, I was still able to go to Europe (the money had already been spent), but I was unfortunately, grounded from Erin, Matt, and Billy for an excruciating month, and my curfew my entire senior year was pushed back to 11:00pm.
Apparently, the only reason I got caught was because of the note. Christy had gotten up to get a drink of water and saw it on the door. Without it, she wouldn't have even noticed the car missing from the garage. Damn me for being 'responsible'.
...and that is the Story of Billy, my Edward.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
I'm an Adult, Go Figure?
I always wondered when it would be when i would receive "Adult Status". For whatever reason i thought i would feel a definitive moment in my life that i would become that 'old person' my parents were/are. Adult Status is defined as someone who has a 'real job'. Someone who eats their vegetables, who is morally set, and who seems to know just about everything.
My definitive moment actually came when i realized that there is not gong to be a specific moment. To my nieces & nephews, i already am that Adult. That 'old person'. To my parents, I'm still their Child (with Adult Tendencies). I have friends that range in ages from 21-60+. And to them, we are Equals. Some are about the same age as my parents. I can talk to them just as i talk to anyone my own age - about silly things, serious things, and those strange conversations that fall in between. We even talk about sex. And it's not weird or 'gross' to talk to people my parents age about sex. In fact, I say 'Good for you'! (It's just my parents that still kinda ick me out to think about). I'm glad that there's no one to tell me that i have to become an Adult. Apparently, it's OK to have Adult Status and mess up or be silly every once in a while.
I now realize: That 'Adult Status' my parents had growing up? I have it too, to my nieces and nephews, anyway. Its kind of like a secret identity. I'm a super hero to my nephews. To them i am an everready battery that can run around and play with them and never get tired. To my nieces I'm the coolest woman on the planet that can do no wrong. I'm sure I'm 'old' to them. ...I guess that's okay.
My definitive moment actually came when i realized that there is not gong to be a specific moment. To my nieces & nephews, i already am that Adult. That 'old person'. To my parents, I'm still their Child (with Adult Tendencies). I have friends that range in ages from 21-60+. And to them, we are Equals. Some are about the same age as my parents. I can talk to them just as i talk to anyone my own age - about silly things, serious things, and those strange conversations that fall in between. We even talk about sex. And it's not weird or 'gross' to talk to people my parents age about sex. In fact, I say 'Good for you'! (It's just my parents that still kinda ick me out to think about). I'm glad that there's no one to tell me that i have to become an Adult. Apparently, it's OK to have Adult Status and mess up or be silly every once in a while.
I now realize: That 'Adult Status' my parents had growing up? I have it too, to my nieces and nephews, anyway. Its kind of like a secret identity. I'm a super hero to my nephews. To them i am an everready battery that can run around and play with them and never get tired. To my nieces I'm the coolest woman on the planet that can do no wrong. I'm sure I'm 'old' to them. ...I guess that's okay.
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